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Flashcards in this deck (16)

  • What defines 'contemporary Philippine music' in the text?

    Compositions adopting 20th-century Western music ideas and latest entertainment trends

    Music limited to pre-20th-century folk forms

    Music only using traditional Philippine instruments

    Strictly pop songs with no Western influence

    definition contemporary

  • According to the text, how do 'traditional composers' approach Western technique?

    They use Western technique with no traditional elements

    They only write popular film songs

    They retain some traditional elements while assimilating Western technique

    They completely reject Western technique

    traditional composers

  • Which composer in the text is called 'Claude Debussy of the Philippine'?

    Lucrecia Kasilag

    Lucio San Pedro

    Jose Maceda

    Antonio Molina
    antoniomolina nickname

  • Which composer 'used whole tone and pentatonic scale' as noted in the text?

    Jose Maceda

    Alfredo Buenaventura

    Rosendo Santos, Jr.

    Antonio Molina
    antoniomolina technique

  • Which composer met lyricist Levi Celerio who wrote the lyrics for the symphony 'Sa Ugoy ng Duyan'?

    Jose Maceda

    Antonio Molina

    Lucio San Pedro

    Lucrecia Kasilag

    luciosanpedro collaboration

  • Which composer is described as an ethnomusicologist and founder of the UP center for Ethnomusicology?

    Alfredo Buenaventura

    Jose Maceda

    Lucrecia Kasilag

    Lucio San Pedro

    josemaceda ethnomusicology

  • Which composer composed more than 250 works and founded the Bayanihan Folk Arts Center?

    Jose Maceda

    Alfredo Buenaventura

    Antonio Molina

    Lucrecia Kasilag
    lucreciakasilag works

  • Which composer 'based his compositions on epics, legends, and local heroes' and composed over 50 religious songs and hymns?

    Rosendo Santos, Jr.

    Alfredo Buenaventura

    Lucio San Pedro

    Jose Maceda

    alfredobuenaventura style

  • Which composer was called 'one of the world's best timpani players' at age 14 and gave Hawaii its first live symphony performance?

    Alfredo Buenaventura

    Jose Maceda

    Antonio Molina

    Rosendo Santos, Jr.
    rosendosantos achievements

  • Which Filipino composer is known by the nickname 'Mr. C' and composed 'Da Coconut Nut'?

    Levi Celerio

    Ryan Cayabyab

    George Canseco

    Ernani Cuenco

    composers ryancayabyab popularmusic

  • Which composer is listed as having a Guinness World Record for playing music on a leaf?

    Levi Celerio

    George Canseco

    Restitutu Umali

    Ryan Cayabyab

    composers levicelerio records

  • Who served as Executive Director of the Philippine Popular Music Festival?

    George Canseco

    Ryan Cayabyab

    Levi Celerio

    Ernani Cuenco

    musicfest ryancayabyab roles

  • Which composer was noted as a movie scorer and faculty at UST conservatory and completed courses in music, business, and electronics?

    Levi Celerio

    George Canseco

    Restitutu Umali

    Ernani Cuenco

    composers restitutuumali education

  • Which composer was a National Artist for Music in 1999 and was discovered by Joseph Estrada?

    George Canseco

    Ernani Cuenco

    Ryan Cayabyab

    Levi Celerio

    composers ernanicuenco nationalartist

  • Which composer was self-taught in piano and listed as President of FILSCAP?

    Ryan Cayabyab

    Restitutu Umali

    Levi Celerio

    George Canseco
    composers georgecanseco filscap

  • According to the text, what is a primary role of song composers?

    Produce memorable output of traditional love songs, music for movies and materials for contemporary arrangements and concert repertoire

    Work solely as performers without composing

    Focus exclusively on ethnomusicology research

    Only write instrumental symphonies for orchestras

    songcomposers definition roles
Study Notes

Contemporary Philippine Music — Overview

  • Definition: Compositions that blend 20th-century Western techniques with Filipino traditional elements and current entertainment trends.
  • Three broad categories: Traditional composers, New/experimental composers, and Song composers (popular/film/choral repertoire).

Key musical elements & approaches

  • Western techniques used: orchestration, harmony, whole-tone and pentatonic scales, formal structures borrowed from Western art music.
  • Filipino/traditional elements: folk melodies, indigenous rhythms, native instruments, epic/legend inspirations, church and community music.
  • New/experimental trends: ethnomusicological research, incorporation of percussion and non-Western scales, experimental forms.

Differences between categories

  • Traditional composers: keep Filipino identity while adopting Western methods; often write orchestral, choral, and liturgical works.
  • New/experimental composers: explore indigenous sounds, investigate folk sources, and create avant-garde/ethnomusicological works.
  • Song composers: write memorable songs for films, popular media, and concerts; focus on melody and lyrics.

Notable Traditional Composers

Antonio Molina

  • From Quiapo, Manila; musical prodigy (played several string instruments by age 12).
  • Teacher at UP (1923) and CEU; called the "Claude Debussy of the Philippines."
  • Techniques: used whole-tone and pentatonic scales.
  • Honors/roles: conductor of early televised choral concert; first Filipino composer invited to Malacañang; first National Artist for Music.
  • Representative works: Hatinggabi, Ana Maria, Ang Batingaw, Malikmata.

Lucio San Pedro

  • From Angono, Rizal; strong family band tradition; studied at UP (1937) and Juilliard (1947).
  • Composer and educator; music described as a calling.
  • Collaborated with lyricist Levi Celerio; notable song Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (lyrics by Celerio).

Rosendo Santos, Jr.

  • From Cavite; early music training (Julian Felipe) and teaching by age 11.
  • Wrote marches, Mass music, and scores as a youth; recognized for timpani skill.
  • Notable piece: Inday sa Balitaw.

Alfredo Buenaventura

  • From Sta. Maria, Bulacan; organist and choir singer; active conductor and arranger from a young age.
  • Based compositions on epics, legends, and heroes; used folk and tribal songs and indigenous instruments.
  • Wrote 50+ religious songs and hymns.
  • Representative works: Maria Makiling, Prinsesa Urduja, Dakilang Lahi, Gomburza, Philippine Medley No. 2.

Notable New / Experimental Composers

Jose Maceda

  • From Sampaloc, Manila; ethnomusicologist, composer, and performer.
  • Studied music in Manila and France; long-time UP professor and founder/executive director of UP Center for Ethnomusicology.
  • Known for field research and works that integrate Filipino ritual/folk elements.
  • Representative works: Pagsamba, Cassette 100, Ugnayan, Udlot-udlot.
  • National Artist for Music.

Lucrecia Kasilag

  • From San Fernando, La Union; educated in Manila and at Eastman School of Music.
  • Faculty and dean at Philippine music schools; founder of Bayanihan Folk Arts Center.
  • Wrote 250+ compositions emphasizing Filipino instruments and themes.
  • Representative works: April Morning, Toccata for Percussions and Winds, Legend of the Sarimanok.
  • National Artist for Music.

Father Maramba, OSB

  • From Las Piñas; Benedictine priest with a music degree from UST Conservatory (1950).
  • Served in parish work and abroad; known for liturgical works.
  • Representative: Gloria (performed at World Youth Day 1995).
  • Died 2020.

Ryan Cayabyab (Mr. C)

  • From Sta. Cruz, Manila; trained at UP College of Music (Composition).
  • Extremely versatile: theater, choral, pop, film scores, and commercial work.
  • Led Philippine Popular Music Festival; National Artist for Music.
  • Representative songs: Da Coconut Nut, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.

Notable Song Composers (Film, Popular, Lyricists)

Levi Celerio

  • From Tondo, Manila; early violinist and youngest member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
  • Prolific lyricist, capable of quick songwriting; listed in Guinness for playing music on a leaf.
  • National Artist for Literature and Music (1997).
  • Representative songs: Pasko na Naman, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Misa de Gallo.

Restituto Umali

  • From Paco, Manila; film scorer and UST faculty.
  • Trained in violin and rondalla traditions; studied solfeggio and score analysis.
  • Notable song: Saan ka man naroroon.

Ernani Cuenco

  • From Malolos, Bulacan; film scorer, musical director, performer, and professor.
  • Trained at UST Conservatory; won awards for film music; National Artist for Music (1999).
  • Representative songs: Bato sa Buhangin, Gaano Kita Kamahal.

George Canseco

  • From Naic, Cavite; journalist-turned-composer, largely self-taught in piano and songwriting.
  • Served as FILSCAP president and musical director for films.
  • Representative songs: Kastilyong Buhangin, Kailangan Kita, High School Life.

Common roles beyond composing

  • Many composers were educators (UP, UST, PWU), shaping the next generation.
  • Several served as conductors, arrangers, and film music directors, bridging art and popular media.
  • National Artist recognition is common among major figures listed.

What to memorize / exam focus

  • Definitions and differences among the three composer categories.
  • Key characteristics/techniques: whole-tone and pentatonic use; use of indigenous instruments and rhythms.
  • Associate each major composer with: origin, main contribution (ethnomusicology, film scoring, choral/orchestral works), and 1–2 representative works.
  • Remember notable collaborations (e.g., Lucio San Pedro and Levi Celerio).

Quick study checklist

  • [ ] Explain "Contemporary Philippine Music" in one sentence.
  • [ ] List the three composer categories and their traits.
  • [ ] Match 8–10 composers to one signature work and one role/honor.
  • [ ] Describe how indigenous elements are incorporated into classical forms.